Laser light irradiation apparatus

Abstract

A laser light irradiation apparatus used for medical treatment of living tissue. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a probe and a plural number of optical fibers. The optical fibers surround the axis of the probe. Laser light goes through each optical fiber and is applied to the probe. Then, the laser light is emitted from the probe to be uniformly irradiate the tissues, and if desired, against the tissues over a broad area. Further, a guide wire and/or a lead wire for detecting a temperature can be placed so as to be coaxial with the probe. Therefore, a perforation of a normal part of the blood vessel can be prevented.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A laser light irradiation apparatus comprising: a laser light emitting member;   an optical fiber for transmitting laser light, having an exposed core section inserted into the light emitting member to apply transmitted light from the fiber into the light emitting member;   a surface layer formed on the exposed core section of the optical fiber, said surface layer containing light scattering particles;   a second optical fiber, having an exposed core section inserted into the light emitting member to apply transmitted light from the second optical fiber into the light emitting member; and   a surface layer formed on the exposed core section of the second optical fiber, said surface layer containing light scattering particles.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the scattering particles contained in each of the surface layers are at least partially melted and another portion of the scattering particles contained in each of the surface layers are unmelted. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting member comprises: a light transmissive synthetic resin, and   light absorbing particles dispersed throughout said synthetic resin.   
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the synthetic resin is selected from the group consisting of: silicone resin, acrylic resin, carbonate resin, polyamide resin, polyethylene resin, urethane resin and polyester resin. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light absorbing particles are selected from the group consisting of: carbon, iron oxide and manganese dioxide. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting member further comprises light scattering particles dispersed throughout said synthetic resin. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each exposed core section is tapered.